Motion picture and sound record film



Aug. 8, 1933. J. CRABTREE ET AL. 1,921,964

MOTION PICTURE AND SOUND RECORD FILM Filed June 1, 1929 gmmtogn JmmL mmm Charla: E; IYEE Patented Aug. 8, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MOTION PICTURE AND SOUND nEoom) FILM John I. Crabt ree and Charles E. Ives, Rochester, N. Y., assignors to Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, N. Y., a Corporation of New York Application June 1, 19'29. Serial ANo. 367,703

7 Claims. (01. 274-43) This invention relates to sound photography and more particularly to an article and a method .useful in preventing objectionable sound effects at the change-over from one sound record to another on two sections of spliced film.

In the preparation of motion picture'film bearing a related sound accompaniment in the form of a sound record, it is customary at the junction or splice of two different sound records, in order 10 to obtain a pleasing transition from one record to another, to obscure the sound record by applying opaque lacquer to a triangular area of the support side of the film at a point overlapping the ends of the two sound records. It has been necessary to apply such lacquer with care so that it would not obscure any part of the picture area and since existing lacquers and varnishes dry relatively slowly, such former method has been particularly objectionable.

In the co-pending' application of John I. Crabtree, Serial No. 351,251, filed March 30, 1929, it was proposed to utilize a substantial triangular piece of dense material for over-coming the mentioned objections. In the'method of the men- 5 tioned application it was necessary to rely on the judgment of the operator for positioning the opaque piece to register accuratelywith the junction of the sound records and since it was necessary to cover one side of the piece with a suitable an adhesive, it became particularly awkward to handle.

In accordance with the present invention it is proposed to provide a transition piece having a" portion of varying transmission or of complete Opacity having a series of perforations along one marginto register with the-perforations normally provided in the film. In addition the piece is provided with a detachable 'extension by which it is readily manipulated while being attached to the sound record.

For a clearer understanding of the invention reference is made to Fig. -1 of the drawing showing a strip of motion picture sound film spliced together with the transition piece applied in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a sound record 16 providing asuitable accoinpani ment thereto. In the absence of the present invention when the sound reproducing device, with which the film is to be used, passes from sound record 14 to sound record 16, there is an objec- ,tionable sound effect due to the abrupt change from one accompaniment to another. I v

In accordance with the present invention it is proposed to attach a transition piece 1'7, of generally triangular shape, over the junction of the two different sound records. In applying this transition piece-the spliced sections of film 10 and 1.1 are placed on the top of a block 18 having a series of pins or projections 19 fitting into the perforations 20 normally present in the film. The transition piece 17, provided with a series of perforations 21 spaced in the same manner as the perforations 20, is coated with a suitable adhesive applied to all of one of its surfaces except the extension 22. The-transition piece may then be gripped by extension 22 and may be placed with its adhesive side over the junction point 12 in superimposed relation with respect to the end portions of the sound records 14 and 16. It will be noted that the perforations 21 cause the tran- 30 sition piece to register with the sound record. When the adhesive is dry, the extension 22 is removed from the transition piece 17' by tearing along the curved line of perforations or scoring 23. This line is curved so that therewill be no irregular portion of the transition piece extending beyond the margin of the film. The transition piece may be in the form of a trapezoid as shown in Fig. 3 and may vary in density progressively increasing to the point which normally go coincides with the junction point. As shown in Fig. 4 the transition piece may be substantially triangular in form and. may be made of opaque material; the edges need not be straight. I

It will be understood that there may be other embodiments and equivalents of our arrangement within the scope of the appended claims without, departing from thev spirit of the invene tion.

What we claim is: n

1. The combination with a spliced motion picture film having thereon two areas bearing photographic sound records joined together at their ends, of a transition piece attached in superimposed relation over the junction of the two sound records, saidtransition piece having an extension joined to the main portion thereof by a weak-1 ened connection. 2. Thecombination with a spliced motion picture film having thereon two areas bearing photographic sound records joined together, of a transition piece obscuring a portion of each record at the junction point, said transition piece having a series of perforations registering with the perforation along one margin of the film and having an extension integral therewith which is detachable from the main portion thereof.

3. The combination with a motion picture film having thereon two areas bearing-photographic sound records joined together at their ends, of a transition piece of flexible material having tapered ends serving to obscure a portion of each of said sound records at the junction point, said piece having a detachable extension integral therewith and joined to the main portion thereof by a line of scoring. I

4. The combination with a motion picture film provided with perforations along one margin and having thereon two consecutive areas bearing photographic sound records joined together at their ends, of a piece of light retarding flexible material having tapering ends and perforations registering with the perforations along the margin of the film, and a detachable extension on said transition piece joined thereto by a curved line of scoring.

5. As an article of manufacture for application to a motion picture film bearing a longitudinally extending sound record, a strip of material perforated along one edge for registration with the perforations of a motion picture film of standard dimensions and having a portion varying. longitudinaly in its total light transmission to be positioned for registration with the sound record of the film, and having a trans-' versely extended tab rigidly connected thereto by a curved line of scoring.

6. As an article of manufacture for application to .a motion picture film bearing a longitudinally extending sound record, a transition piece of generally triangular form and of light retarding character, said piece having a series of spaced perforations along one margin for registration with the perforations of themotion picture film of standard dimensions and having an extension rigidly joined thereto by a weakened connection. 7. As an article of manufacture for application to a motion picture film bearing a longitudinally extending sound record, a transition piece'of generally triangular form and of light retarding character, said piece having a series of spaced perforations along one margin for registration with the perforations of a motion picture film of standard dimensions and having an extension rigidly connected thereto by a curved line of scoring.

JOHN I. CRABTREE. CHARLES E. IVES. 

